Finger operated hair brushing tool

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a finger operated hair brushing apparatus for preventing scapular pain and hair pulling. In exemplary embodiments, the apparatus comprises: a finger support member configured to engage a user&#39;s finger; a rod member coupled to the finger support member; and a clamping member moveably coupled to the rod member. It is contemplated that rod member and clamping member are operably configured to clamp strands of hair during brushing. It is further contemplated that the finger support member can comprise an adjustable loop band, an adjustable magnetic portion, or an adjustable ratcheting mechanism. It is also contemplated that the finger support member can comprise a c-clamp portion for attaching to other devices. Still further, it is contemplated that the rod member and/or clamping member can further comprise a groove for mating with each other, the user&#39;s finger, or an outer foam layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/706,945, filed on Sep. 18, 2020, entitled “FINGER OPERATED HAIR BRUSHING TOOL,” and to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/219,567, filed on Jul. 8, 2021, entitled “FINGER OPERATED HAIR BRUSHING TOOL,” both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of hair brushing tools and aids. More specifically, the present invention relates in one exemplary embodiment to a finger operated hair brushing tool that is used to prevent scapular pain and hair pulling during brushing.

BACKGROUND

Scapular pain and hair pulling is a problem when brushing tangled hair. Few if any adequate solutions exist in the prior art for preventing hair pulling and scapular pain during brushing of tangled hair. Known devices generally comprise specialized combs and brushes. The present invention can be distinguished from the state of the art relating to hair brushing, coloring, curling, straightening, and cutting devices.

U.S. Pat. Appl. No. 2018/0168313 to Miller-Johnson discloses a hair detangling comb that comprises curved hair teeth that are moveable in relation to central shaft. U.S. Pat. No. 8,955,525 to Tiram discloses a hair treating apparatus that comprises dual opposing members that are operable with a user's fingers to selectively move the members towards each other to engage strands of hair for selective application of hair coloring. U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,740 to Lehmann discloses a typical hair curling device that comprises a pressure applicator and pivotally connected rod.

U.S. Pat. Appl. No. 2019/0357655 to Akurt discloses a haircutting tool that comprises a moveably coupled dual headed hairbrush with thumb hole for cutting hair. U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,939 to Nathe discloses a hair curling iron that includes a pair of moveable W-shaped arms include curved lip portions to prevent hair damage. U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,176 to Shelton discloses a hair stripping device that comprises a pair of cooperating tongs with abrasive pads. U.S. Pat. Appl. No. 2012/0227757 to Fardoe discloses a finger sleeve device with a thumb hole and removable mandrel for curling hair.

However, each of the aforementioned devices suffer from one or more disadvantages that make them unsuitable for reducing scapular pain and hair pulling during brushing tangled hair. The foregoing prior art references to Miller-Johnson, Tiram, Lehmann, Akurt, Nathe, Shelton, and Fardoe and all other extraneous materials discussed herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporation reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

Based on the foregoing, there is still a need for a finger operated hair brushing tool that can be used to reduce scapular pain, hair pulling, and/or hair loss during brushing tangled hair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein is a finger operated hair brushing apparatus for preventing scapular pain and hair pulling. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a finger support member configured to engage a user's finger, a rod member coupled to the finger support member, and a clamping member moveably coupled to the rod member. In one variant, the rod member and the clamping member are operably configured to clamp strands of hair during brushing. In other variants, the finger support member can comprise an adjustable loop band, an adjustable magnetic portion, or an adjustable ratcheting mechanism. In further variants, the rod member and/or clamping member further comprise a groove for mating with each other, the user's finger, or an outer foam layer. Other features and advantages of the present invention will immediately be recognized by persons of ordinary skill in the art with reference to the accompanying drawings and detailed description of exemplary embodiments as discussed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various aspects and embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein, but should not be construed as restricting the scope of the invention in any manner. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements or components.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the finger operated hair brushing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the finger operated hair brushing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating yet another embodiment of the finger operated hair brushing according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the embodiment of the finger operated hair brushing apparatus according to the present invention shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating still another embodiment of the finger operated hair brushing apparatus according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various aspects and embodiments of the present invention are now described in detail in conjunction with the drawings. The drawings and this disclosure should not be construed as restricting the scope of the invention in any manner. Reference is made to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to the same or similar parts throughout. One feature of the present invention is to employ a combination of features to prevent scapular pain and hair pulling during brushing tangled hair. Although the present invention is primarily described in the context of brushing tangled hair, the present invention may be readily adapted to other types of hair brushing needs, including, but not limited to, prevention of hair loss. Hence, a myriad of other applications of the present invention are contemplated.

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of the finger operated hair brushing tool 100 according to the present invention. Hair brushing tool 100 comprises finger support member 110, an elongated rod member 120, and moveable clamping member 130.

In exemplary embodiments, it is contemplated that support member 110 can comprise a fixed or adjustable finger loop that is capable of mating with one or more fingers of a user. As shown in FIG. 1, support member 110 is configured to receive a linger of a user. It is further contemplated that support member 110 can be configured to be adjustable to the size of a user's finger through the use of various materials and methods, including, but not limited to, through the use of elastic, Velcro, and/or magnetic mechanisms.

Rod member 120 is configured for wrapping strands of hair around it during brushing. As shown in FIG. 1, Rod member 120 is coupled to support member 110 and/or can be integrally connected to support member 110. Alternatively, it is contemplated that rod member 110 can be moveably or detachably connected to support member 110 and/or clamping member 130. Further, rod member 120 can be constructed out of various materials and/or comprise one or more outer layers that impart specific properties to rod member 120 when interacting with stands of hair. In various embodiments, rod member 120 can further comprise an integral or detachable outer foam or rubber layer (for example, as shown in FIG. 11) and/or be constructed of such materials for enhancing the gripping properties of rod member 120. Alternatively, rod member 120 can comprise an outer layer and/or be constructed out of materials for reducing friction on strands of hair. As shown in FIG. 1, rod member 120 runs parallel to the user's finger when the user engages support member 110. Rod member 120 can be further configured to have a finger groove (not shown) for mating with a user's finger and/or be configured to completely or partially wrap around a user's finger (not shown).

Clamping member 130 is configured to be moveably or hingedly coupled to rod member 120 and/or support member 110. But it is also contemplated that clamping member 130 can also be detachably coupled (not shown) to rod member 120 and/or support member 110. Clamping member 130 is configured to allow a user to operatively engage clamping member 130 with the user's thumb to thereby grip and clamp strands of hair between rod member 120 and clamping member 130. In various embodiments, clamping member 130 can be configured to include a groove 140 for mating with rod member 120 and/or to include a gripping surface or liner (not shown) to help with gripping strands of hair. When clamping member 130 is pushed together with rod member 120, groove 140 encloses rod member 120.

The individual components of the present invention can be constructed out of any suitable materials, including plastics and polymers, stainless steel, metals, metal alloys, any other suitable materials including injection-molded polymers, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene, or any other suitable natural/synthetic polymers, and/or any other materials that are capable of being formed, molded, extruded, transformed, forged, and/or cast. In addition, it is contemplated that hair brushing tool 100 and its various components can have any suitable size, shape, and dimensions.

The finger operated hair brushing tool 100 can be utilized in several ways by a user. For light tangles, the user can simply pinch stands of hair between rod member 120 and clamping member 130 during brushing to prevent hair pulling and tugging on the scalp. Alternatively, for stronger tangles and/or for more sensitive scalps, the user can wrap strands of hair around rod member 120 and then pinch and hold such strands of hair between rod member 120 and clamping member 130 to further prevent hair pulling and tugging on the scalp during brushing.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, hair brushing tool 200 is depicted as having an adjustable finger support member 210. Clamping member 230 comprises an upper portion having an animal character design (e.g., cat, crocodile, unicorn, etc.). Many other functional and/or ornamental upper portions of the clamping member 230 are contemplated. Still further, clamping member 230 can have a bottom foam grooved portion (not shown) for mating with rod member 220 having an outer foam layer (not shown).

In another alternative embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3-4, hair brushing tool 300 comprises finger support member 310, an elongated rod member 320, moveable clamping member 330, and riser portion 350. In this embodiment, support member 310 has a c-clamp shape for securely coupling to other devices, including, but not limited to, a hairbrush or other hair care devices.

In yet another alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, hair brushing tool 400 comprises finger support member 410, an elongated rod member 420, and moveable clamping member 430 that includes an elevated riser portion 450 to increase a user's dexterity with the device and to allow a user to apply greater pressure to clamping member 430 during operation. It is contemplated that riser portion 450 can be detachably coupled to clamping member 430 such that various other attachments or components can be coupled to clamping member 430, including, but not limited to, an additional finger support member.

Thus, specific embodiments of a finger operated hair brushing apparatus have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprising,” “comprises.” and “comprise” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification or claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C, . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A finger operated hair brushing apparatus for preventing scapular pain and hair pulling, comprising: a finger support member configured to engage a user's finger; a rod member coupled to the finger support member; and a clamping member moveably coupled to the rod member; wherein the rod member and the clamping member are operably configured to clamp strands of hair during brushing.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the finger support member comprises an adjustable loop band.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the finger support member comprises an adjustable magnetic portion.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the finger support member comprises an adjustable ratcheting mechanism.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the adjustable loop further comprises Velcro.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rod member comprises an elongated rod.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the rod member further comprises an outer foam layer.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the rod member further comprises a groove for mating with the user's finger.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clamping member further comprises a groove for mating with the rod member.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the clamping member further comprises an outer foam layer.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clamping member further comprises a riser portion.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the finger support member comprises a c-clamp portion. 